Sindh’s prime minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said Tuesday that the alarming increase in traffic accidents in Karachi was “unacceptable” and ordered the police and transport authorities to implement “strict measures” aimed at improving road safety and saving lives.
The measure is produced in the middle of an alarming increase in traffic accidents in the metropolis, especially involving the Dumpers and the water tankers, who killed almost 500 people and injured 4,879 in 2024, according to hospital data. Incidents promoted protests on citizens’ deaths, after which the provincial government prohibited the movement of heavy vehicles during the day in Karachi, while ordering them to obtain a physical conditioning certificate of vehicles.
During today’s meeting, CM Shah made it mandatory that all heavy transport vehicles (HTV), light transport vehicles (LTV) and public service vehicles (PSV) are equipped with trackers, boards of tables and protection devices underlined on the front, sides and rear.
He also instructed the law enforcement agencies to implement random drug evidence for HTVs, LTV and PSV drivers to promote safe and responsible management practices.
The meeting, held in CM House, was attended by provincial ministers, Saeed Ghani, Mikesh Chawla, Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Police General Inspector Ghulam Nabi Memon, General Vice President of the Traffic Police Pir Mohammad Shah and other relevant government officials.
The main minister, expressing his disgust for the large number of accidents, said he was “unacceptable.”
“The reckless driving is claiming innocent lives, which is unacceptable,” he said.
He directed the city police to improve traffic discipline by reducing violations through responsibility, encouraging responsible driving and avoiding reckless and dangerous behavior at all costs.
The prime minister made essential decisions for the safe management of traffic in the city.
Installation of security equipment
The main minister observed that most heavy vehicles were not equipped with trackers and Daskcams. Therefore, it made it mandatory that all HTV, LTV and PSVs now must be equipped with trackers, boards and protection devices underlined in the front, lateral and rear.
CM Murad, speaking of the regulations of water oil tankers, decided that oil tankers with vessels with escape or non-co-co-co-co-co-conjuague and those who lack deflector plates will be prohibited from road operations to avoid dangerous spills and instability.
“This decision must be implemented as of today,” he said, adding that the fulfillment of physical aptitude must be guaranteed.
The CM ordered the Traffic Police that vehicles with canceled physical conditioning certificates would be confiscated and would not be allowed to return to the roads until the transport department considers it Roadworthy.
Drug test for drivers
Making an unprecedented decision, the CM ordered the Traffic Police to carry out random drug tests on the HTVs, LTV and PSV drivers to guarantee a safe and responsible driving. He also ordered the police to enforce the speed limit in the city.
“HTV will be limited to a maximum speed of 30 km/h within the limits of the city of Karachi to reduce the risk of fatal accidents,” he ordered.
Faceless electronic ticket system
CM Murad ordered Interior Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar to enter a transparent and automated electronic tickets for the effective application of traffic laws. He also issued interdepartmental integration orders.
“The Department of Transportation, the Special Tax Department, the Licensing Authority, the Traffic Police and the NADRA must be digitally integrated for better coordination and the simplified application,” he ordered.
Renewal of the Traffic Engineering Office
The main minister decided to rejuvenate the Traffic Engineering Office and placed it under the administrative authority of Mayor Wahab to improve the planning and execution of traffic control measures. He also decided to make the prior training for the license mandatory.
“The driving academies offered by internationally recognized courses in theory, simulation and practical training must be established, which makes the training prior to the license mandatory,” the transport and police departments directed.
Demerit points system
In consultation with the Department of Transportation and the Police, it was decided to introduce a new point -based system to make licenses holders for repeated violations.
The main characteristics of the points system include all drivers that begin with 12 points, the points are deduced by violations and the license is suspended at zero points. Serious violations would result in higher deductions. The points would be restored after a fixed period: minor crimes for two years and important crimes for three years.
The points deduction structure also includes:
- Deduction of two points for speeding, driving without a helmet and not wearing a seat belt
- Deduction of three points in insecure advance, run red lights and run a stop line;
- Five points by reckless driving/ unidirectional violation
- Six points for drunk driving
- Immediate revocation of the license for cases of outrage and escape
The CM ordered to lanjar to make the necessary amendments to the traffic rules, if necessary.
It also ordered the Department of Special Taxes and Taxes and the Police to begin a repression of illegal modifications and violations.
“The ongoing operation must be strict against the use of extravagant numbers, dyeing windows, unauthorized emergency accessories and traffic violations, such as driving without a valid license, driving without helmets, driving triples on motorcycles, motorcycles that lack essential safety parts (headlights, rear lights, emergency lights, chain covers and rear views).”
Implementation Committee
The principal minister was a dedicated committee composed of the Secretary of Taxes and Taxes, transport of the Secretary, DRI and DIG traffic Police license to guarantee the immediate implementation through executive orders, standard operational procedures and legal amendments.
CM Murad emphasized that these measures aimed to save lives and make Karachi roads safer for all citizens.
“We must act decisively. The lives of our citizens are too valuable to get lost due to negligence and poor application,” he said.
